First Euro trip - Pointers / Advice

[Slaninar]

Heidelberg is just 10 miles on from Mannheim and a more interesting place to stay, it's a true gothic  town on the riverside overlooked by a dracula type castle etc. A good place to explore german beer I might add.

I couldn't agree more. You, Sir, ARE a man of the world!

[GringoRojo]

if you're planning a few days "basecamp" for your trip, dont rule out a tent rather than a B&B etc cos camping at proper sites is very cheap, and you still have reasonable facilities. but if your only going away for a week then tenting might not be worth the setup hassle.
either way, anything valuable is likely to just be a satnav/camera/smartphone/gopro as you'll probably not take a laptop/ipad/kindle for just a week, probably not even two weeks on a bike, so you can take the small list of valuables with you on your day trips.

take minimal clothing ie 1 pair denims/zippies, 1 light fleece, 4 days hiking tees (easy washable & quick drying)
light summer bike gear
a set of waterproofs.

if camping, consider taking a small tarp to set up as a shade over your tent  - it gets hot in europe and a hot tent is an oven.

and drink plenty fluids (not just booze).

[Slaninar]

Why do so many of you consider camping cost wise? You either like it or not. If not, there are always cheap ho(s)tels.

I consider camping to be a million star hotel, wouldn't trade it for anything. Tent, fire, sea if possible, that's what vacation is all about. If you find fellow campers with a guitar and some Czech/Slovenian girls happen to be near, you'r in for a verry nice time.

[phil on a fazer]

. Tent, fire, sea if possible, that's what vacation is all about. If you find fellow campers with a guitar and some Czech/Slovenian girls happen to be near, you'r in for a verry nice time.

if thats what happens when you go camping can i come with ya 

[Slaninar]

if thats what happens when you go camping can i come with ya 

Anytime mate. Past 3 years I've been camping while my loved one was at home (she hates camping), so the girls will be all for you to handle!     Late June, when days are the logest.

[locksmith]

Sounds perfect, till it pisses down

[Slaninar]

Sounds perfect, till it pisses down

In the summer time, rainstorms in tent are fun. Unless it rains every day. But it never does in these parts of the globe. Last summer I was riding some 4 hours in pouring rain and even some ice. Thought I'd laugh at how stupid I was and enjoy sunny rides even more afterwards.

[pitternator]

when I was younger I campe dfor 2 weeks in antibes, an dit wa sgreat . But it was high season, no rain etc. On the way down and back we stopped in a hotel room though....